What are the symptoms of a damaged supercharger?
2 Answers
The symptoms of a damaged supercharger are: blue or white smoke from the car's exhaust pipe, decreased power, increased engine oil, and unstable turbo pressure. The causes of supercharger damage are: 1. Foreign objects entering and damaging the impeller; 2. Impurities in the engine oil causing bearing and shaft wear; 3. Insufficient lubrication or aging of the lubricating oil in the turbocharger; 4. Use of inferior or deteriorated lubricating oil; 5. High exhaust temperature of the engine. The working principle of a supercharger: It utilizes the high-temperature exhaust gas (700 to 900 degrees Celsius) from the engine to drive the turbine in the turbo to rotate. The turbine shaft then drives the impeller in the compressor to rotate at high speed, compressing the air centrifugally and increasing the engine's intake air density to 2 to 3 atmospheres.
I've seen quite a few cases of supercharger failures, with symptoms mainly including noticeably reduced engine power—it feels like the car has lost its vigor, with sluggish acceleration and difficulty climbing hills. Abnormal noises are another major clue, such as a sharp whistling or howling sound near the engine when driving, which likely indicates issues with the turbine blades or seals. Changes in exhaust emissions are also common: blue smoke means oil is leaking into the combustion chamber and burning, while black smoke indicates an overly rich fuel mixture. At the same time, fuel consumption increases—I’ve personally experienced spending much more on gas, and the engine warning light often comes on. All these stem from internal wear or damage to the supercharger. If not addressed promptly, it can affect the entire engine's lifespan. I always advise friends to visit a repair shop early for a thorough diagnosis to prevent small issues from turning into big problems.
